Gilbert Burnet was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. He pastored in Scotland,
taught at the University of Glasgow and became chaplain to the English rulers
William and Mary. As Bishop of Salisbury, he was a model of zeal and activity.
Outspoken against Catholicism, Burnet was nonetheless moderate in his treatment
of dissenters and other opponents. His personal character was so high that the
dying Earl of Rochester, who had lived a profligate life, called him to his
bedside for spiritual counsel. Burnett helped inaugerate the ecclesiastical
provision known as Queen Anne's Bounty which was designed to augment the income
of the poorer Anglican clergy. He wrote several books which were highly
regarded in their day, including a History of the Reformation in England.